Wiring up an inverter

[Badass Bundy]

Lads,

My 80 series already had an inverter in it when I bought it. It has now packed it in. So I thought I would buy a decent intverter from Jaycar.

This is what i bought
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... BCATID=680

When I was going through the wiring from the old inverter, I noticed that the previous owner wired the positive wire to the positive terminal of the battery (which is correct), and the negative and earth wire to the chassis.

Is this correct? I thought that the negative wire had to go to the negative terminal of the battery? Does this pose any dramas for the new inverter?

Your thoughts?

P.S. Im using the inverter for charging cameras, phones and lamps. Nothing too huge.

Thanks in advance.

[PBBIZ2]

I think for small appliances you are fine via the chassis. If it is a big current draw, and remember to do the current multiplication for the 12V - 240V exchange, then direct to the battery is better. Reason I say this is the path via the body/chassis is from cables and they all have connection losses which add up to additional heat and resistance. If you go direct between the inverter to battery, then the connections are usually guaranteed 'clean' and new. I run a 2.5Kw inverter in my patrol, earthed to chassis. i elected to go this way for convenience and also since my power tools are 900 w max. I have used this system half a dozen times with drills locked up and stalled and had no problem with performance or cable heating up or connection issues - did make sure I had a good earth from the start. If I was able to cleanly go to the battery, I would do so however. Make sure you have any through body penetrations correctly protected as these are the areas of weakness I have found.

[BundyRumandCoke]

I think the less connections, the better. Any extra connections, - to chassis, chassis to - on battery is a chance to introduce problems. Personally, I run twin core cable back to both terminals of my 2nd battery. This is for everything, inverter, aux plugs, and Anderson plug. I use 8mm cable as a minimum. Exxy, yes, but worth it so as not to suffer voltage drop.

[Dooley]

Another factor to consider is the connection from the battery to the chassis, some cars have pretty small gauge wiring for this...